Too many exemptions will dilute odd-even scheme: Experts

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SME Times News Bureau | 25 Dec, 2015
Delhi's odd-even formula aimed at battling pollution may not succeed because the restrictions on vehicles carry too many exemptions, experts said on Thursday.

"The scheme is a good initiative and much appreciated. But after knowing its formal blueprint, I believe it will not suffice," environmentalist Vikrant Tongad told agency.

"The aim of doing this was to reduce pollution. But there are so many exemptions. This way, its benefit will be much less," said Tongad, who works with the Delhi-based Social Action for Forests and Environment.

Anumita Roy at the Centre for Science and Environment agreed.

"The government should not have exempted two-wheelers and women drivers as they comprise a substantial number of vehicles. Of course this will reduce the effectiveness of the plan.

"Too many exemptions will cause loopholes in the attempt to reduce pollution levels... Ultimately, we need a larger master plan to reduce the poison (pollution) in the air," Roy told IANS.

The comments came after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal unveiled the January 1-15 experimental plan to drastically reduce the number of vehicles on Delhi's roads in a desperate bid to check rising pollution.

Under the scheme, cars with odd registration numbers would ply on odd dates and those with even numbers would run on even dates. There will be no curbs on Sundays. The scheme will be effective from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Although cars constitute nearly a third of Delhi's almost nine million vehicular population, the decision to exempt two-wheelers, women drivers, emergency services as well as a host of VIPs has drawn flak.

Tongad said trucks and bikes were major sources of pollution but were not covered by the formula.

Officials say trucks were exempted because they were allowed into the capital only at night. Banning two-wheelers would have put, they say, too much pressure on Delhi's already inadequate public transport.

The decision to exempt woman drivers drew varying reactions.

"Even women should voluntarily follow the odd-even formula. Let's be equal here," tweeted Richa Anirudh, a woman.

Added Swati Chaturvedi: "It is a health emergency. Let us give ourselves a break and give odd-even formula a chance!"

Some accused Kejriwal of bias against men.

"Where is equality when women drivers are allowed to drive anytime they want and men are forced to use public transport?" asked an incensed Shrish Gulati.

And Raj Sabharwal wanted to know if women cause less pollution. "So why discrimination against men?"

Highlights of odd-even formula

According to this formula, a motor vehicle whose registration number ends in an odd digit will be allowed on the roads on odd-numbered dates and a vehicle whose registration number ends in an even digit will be allowed to be driven on roads on even-numbered dates.

* The odd-even formula is being tried on a pilot basis initially for 15 days starting January 1, 2016, and will apply between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily except on Sundays.

* Two-wheeler riders, lone women drivers, and women drivers with kids below 12 years will be exempted from the odd-even formula.

* All CNG-fuelled vehicles with certificates will be allowed to run.

* The formula will only be applicable to private cars. Cabs, buses, trucks and other commercial vehicles will be exempted from the restrictions.

* Four-five thousand additional buses and 10,000 new auto-rickshaws will be added as public transport.

* Metro train frequency will be increased.

* Exemption will be allowed to the vehicles of the President of India, Vice-President, the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition, Speakers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Lokayukta, Governors of states, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, chief ministers of states except Delhi, the judges of the Supreme Court of India and the High Courts.

* Vehicles of paramilitary forces, foreign embassy vehicles, and vehicles bearing defence ministry number plates will also be exempted.

* A fine of Rs.2,000 will be imposed for not following the odd-even formula.

* Vehicles on their way to hospital in a medical emergency will also be exempted, if they carry proof.

* Emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire tenders, prison vans, hearses and enforcement vehicles will also be exempted.